Phenix City, AL: 1 Health Violation - Home Safety 60/100
4 ZIP codes · 4 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Phenix City: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Across water systems in Phenix City, safety results are uneven - a portion carry active or recent violations, while others meet federal standards without incident, placing the city in the middle tier for AL.
How Phenix City Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for Phenix City Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 30 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.001 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 44% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,350 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.83 - above typical levels.
Phenix City's Water Providers
Residential water service in Phenix City, AL is divided among 3 separate utilities, drawn from 4 systems on file with federal regulators.
- C
- C
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 4 ZIP codes in Phenix City, Alabama (population ~63,100), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 106,254 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 3 of 4 ZIP codes.
3 of 3 ZIP codes with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Phenix City: C (60/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Phenix City water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0010 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 3 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 4 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 32 | 3 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 6 | 2 |
| Barium | Inorganic | 3 | 2 |
| Cadmium | Inorganic | 3 | 2 |
| Chromium | Inorganic | 3 | 2 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36870 | C | 26 | 1 | Smiths Water & Sewer Authority |
| 36867 | C | 23 | 0 | Phenix City Utilities |
| 36869 | C | 15 | 1 | Phenix City Utilities |
All ZIP Codes in Phenix City
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
Phenix City Community Health Snapshot
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
What's in Phenix City's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Phenix City Infrastructure Age
With 44% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
What does a median build year of 1983 mean for water safety in Phenix City? It means the housing stock straddles two key plumbing thresholds: the 1986 federal ban on lead solder in copper plumbing, and the pre-1970 era when lead pipes were commonly installed for service lines. A meaningful share of homes predates one or both of those cutoffs, creating varied risk levels across the city's housing inventory.
Most homes in Phenix City were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Phenix City
Given current Phenix City property values, the remediation share falls in the moderate tier - an indicator that the household financial perspective here calls for advance planning rather than dismissal, with most homeowners positioned to address documented issues through deliberate budgeting rather than needing to treat remediation as a significant equity event or financial emergency.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Phenix City. The estimated $1,250–$3,725 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 8% above the Alabama average.
Phenix City: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Although utility-side compliance with federal Lead and Copper requirements remains the system reference, that compliance does not extend down into interior plumbing. With 44% of Phenix City stock built before the solder ban and aggregate readings at or beyond the action mark, a household-level sample becomes the practical way to close that information gap.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Phenix City: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for Phenix City contains 55 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $18,270. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 33% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. The <strong>$2,350</strong> remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
What You Can Do in Phenix City
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Chlorite can reduce the most common contaminant found in Phenix City's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 44% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Phenix City, AL